Job overview
An opportunity has arisen for a full-time fixed term OR secondment position of a Gastroenterology Nurse Specialist to join our very successful Inflammatory Bowel Disease Service.
The post holder will be trained up by this well-established nurse-led service which involves managing complex patients, biologics and advice lines and undertaking nurse led clinics. The post holder will work collaboratively with the other IBD Specialist nurses within the trust and will therefore need strong leadership skills and be able to work autonomously.
The post holder will be key in supporting the Gastroenterology Consultants and the service, working in partnership with patients and other health care professionals to ensure patients are receiving the best care and support with their condition and streamlining the patient’s pathway. This will include using advanced judgement and knowledge of the speciality, and to be able to lead and show innovative nursing practice within inflammatory bowel disease within the trust and also through local networks.
The successful candidate must have previous experience of working in the field of gastroenterology and have held a band 6 position. This role will include managing a patient caseload, receiving referrals, carrying out advice line support and running nurse-led clinics. The post holder will need to be computer literate and have the ability to use IT systems.
Main duties of the job
This role will require you to work cross-site at both Maidstone Hospital and Tunbridge Wells Hospital to enable integration into both teams on both sites.
The post holder will need to work within the gastroenterology multi-disciplinary team providing specialist nursing care to a defined group of patients with Inflammatory Bowel conditions using clearly defined protocols.
The role will involve correspondence with other health care professionals in primary and secondary care, therefore strong written and communication skills are desirable.
The post-holder will need to be able to work autonomously, however be able to escalate concerns or seek clinical guidance when appropriate and will be supported by the Gastroenterology team.
The role will also involve patient education in the form of teaching sessions, to empower patients with the knowledge to manage their conditions. At times you may also be required to support nursing and ward staff, and will promote awareness, implementation and adherence of trust, national and professional polices.
Working for our organisation
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust is a large acute hospital trust in the south-east of England.
We provide a full range of general hospital services and some aspects of specialist and complex care to around 600,000 people living in West Kent and East Sussex. We have a team of over 8,000 full and part-time staff. We also provide specialist cancer services to around 2 million people across Kent and East Sussex via the Kent Oncology Centre. Fordcombe Hospital is near Tunbridge Wells and became part of the Trust in October 2024. It focusses on planned care and has two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day care beds, diagnostic services including X-ray, MRI, CT and endoscopy, and a number of consultation and treatment rooms.
In the 2024 NHS staff survey, our employees ranked MTW among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and the second-best Trust to work for in the South East.
Would you like to work flexibly? In the NHS, we are reminded every day of how important life is. As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us, for our patients and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Once your pre-employment checks have been completed you will be contacted by Recruitment to arrange your start date which will be in line with one of our Corporate Inductions.
Following your Corporate Induction you will be expected to attend the Trust’s 2-week Induction Programme for RNs, NAs, RMs, ODPs and Paramedics. The programme is full-time (please email if this is problematic) and will involve travel to both Trust sites. The programme includes supernumerary shifts in the clinical area, classroom-based sessions and e-learning.
Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure & Barring Service Check at Enhanced Level. (Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children)
At MTW, we seek to develop a culture where everyone can reach their full potential with opportunities to grow and develop their career. We recognise and value the unique contributions that each of our staff bring, delivering the best quality care and service to our patients. We are committed to being a diverse employer and strive to reflect everyone in our local communities. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences and celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that will make our Trust the best place to work.
We support our staff with disabilities to ensure they have the adjustments they need to be the best they can be in the workplace. Collaborating with Access to Work means that our staff are assessed by experts in the workplace and we ensure that their recommendations are implemented as quickly as possible. You can find out more here: Access to Work: get support if you have a disability or health condition: What Access to Work is - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Interview Date: TBC
Person specification
Experience/Knowledge
Essential criteria
1. Post registration experience.
2. Gastro ward / practice experience, at band 6 level.
3. Ability to work independently and as part of a team
4. A working knowledge of IBD conditions
5. Knowledge of IBD specialist clinical treatments and technology
6. Gather, analyse and report a limited range of data and information
7. Experience of clinical supervision and mentoring junior staff/nursing students
8. Able to demonstrate understanding and empathy
9. To contribute to the development of policies and protocols to improve patient care.
Desirable criteria
10. Knowledge of NSF and NICE Guidance for IBD
11. Willingness to learn and acquire skills, training to meet needs of service.
12. Experience of teaching and presenting
13. Knowledge of Gastroenterology / Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Qualifications
Essential criteria
14. Level 1 NMC Registered Nurse
15. Relevant post registration qualification
16. Diploma/Degree in Nursing
17. Teaching experience/ qualification or willingness to undertake
18. Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable criteria
19. Mentorship qualification or willingness to undertake
20. Counselling qualification or willingness to undertake
21. Non-Medical Independent Prescriber/ Willingness to undertake.
22. Post registration education relevant to the post/gastrointestinal nursing
Skills
Essential criteria
23. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
24. Computer literacy.
25. Good clinical assessment skills or willingness to develop these
26. Good listening, observational and interpretive skills.
27. Demonstrate effective teaching skills
28. Excellent interpersonal skills
29. Have awareness of own limitations and when to seek advice from senior members of the team
Desirable criteria
30. Experience of undertaking audits.
31. Project management
32. Effective presentation skills